Ways to manage your debt leading up to and during your retirement.

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While most Aussies had planned to retire at age 65, the reality is that around a quarter of us are expecting to delay our retirement.

The most recent Retirement and Retirement Intentions survey data released by ABS in 2015 found the number of people aged 45 and over who intend to retire later than age 65 is 23%, compared to only 8% of people surveyed in 2004-051.

The main reason people say they’re going to delay their retirement is a lack of financial security (40% for men and 25% for women). And more than half of those surveyed (53%) stated they expect to rely solely on their super, annuity or allocated pension as their main source of income in retirement2.

And given Australians have one of the highest rates of debt in the world3, this trend looks set to continue.

So what can you do to increase your cash flow and reduce your debt to help you live the lifestyle you want in retirement?

Preparing for retirement

If you still have a few years to go before you retire, here are some things you could consider:

Work a bit longer than you had planned. This will help you boost your savings and your super balance, so that you will have a more comfortable lifestyle in retirement.

Work towards becoming debt-free. Take control of your debt by paying off your credit card, refinancing and/or consolidating your debt (such as, into your home loan) or use bill smoothing to reduce interest, fees and charges.

Get serious about having a budget. Use our budget calculator to work out how much you really need to set aside for everyday living, bills and savings and keep them in separate accounts or ‘buckets’.

Don’t keep all your investment eggs in one basket. Consider choosing a diversified mix of investments within your super which could potentially generate more income.

Refinance or downsize your home. Find out what you need to know about selling your family home or accessing the equity in your home to help fund your retirement.

Living in retirement

If you’ve already retired, here are some ways to make your money last longer:

Take control of your finances. There are several strategies that could help boost your cash flow. Read about how to manage your money in retirement.

Use your savings to invest. Another way to boost income is to invest yours savings in shares, property, cash, fixed income or managed funds. Be aware though that any earnings will be subject to tax. Find out more about investing and how to make your money work for your future.

Know your entitlements. Find out what benefits you are entitled to in retirement. For example, your Pensioner Concession Card provides bulk billing for medical appointments, refunds for medical expenses, reduced rates on water and energy bills, car registration and public transport.

Next steps

Finding ways to reduce debt and increase your cash flow in retirement can be a complex and time-consuming task. If you’d like help with working out what’s right for you, you can find an adviser or contact us on 131 267 so we can find someone to help you.